Plan ahead to avoid Schiavo dilemma
Becky Jimenez
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Opinion
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This particular law can become a really scary thing if you do not exclusively trust your significant other. Therefore, it is extremely important to know what measures can be taken in order to avoid such a controversial situation.
In the state of California, we have widely accepted a form called Advanced Health Care Directive. This form consists of four different parts. Part 1 "lets you name another individual as an agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable."
Part 2 "lets you give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes regarding the provisions, withholding, or withdrawal of treatment to keep you alive, as well as the provision of pain relief."
Part 3 "lets you express an intention to donate your bodily organs and tissues following you death."
Part 4 "lets you designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care."
It is cases like Schiavo that shed light on issues that we should all be sitting down and discussing. Obtaining a California Advanced Health Care Directive would be a prudent thing to do just in case we are ever found in a similar situation.
It is extremely important to sit down with your loved ones and specifically list the procedures that should be taken if we are ever found in a state of unconsciousness.
In the state of California, we have widely accepted a form called Advanced Health Care Directive. This form consists of four different parts. Part 1 "lets you name another individual as an agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable."
Part 2 "lets you give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes regarding the provisions, withholding, or withdrawal of treatment to keep you alive, as well as the provision of pain relief."
Part 3 "lets you express an intention to donate your bodily organs and tissues following you death."
Part 4 "lets you designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care."
It is cases like Schiavo that shed light on issues that we should all be sitting down and discussing. Obtaining a California Advanced Health Care Directive would be a prudent thing to do just in case we are ever found in a similar situation.
It is extremely important to sit down with your loved ones and specifically list the procedures that should be taken if we are ever found in a state of unconsciousness.